Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has hosted US President Donald Trump for a round of golf near Tokyo, on the second day of the US leader's four-day state visit to Japan.
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Abe and Trump, who arrived in Tokyo on Saturday, were joined by Japanese professional golfer Isao Aoki as they golfed at the Mobara Country Club estimates from human rights groups and witnesses range from several hundred to several thousand., southeast of Tokyo.
Later on Sunday Abe was set to take Trump to Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugi-kan to watch sumo wrestling.
The president was expected to present a US-made trophy to sumo wrestler Asanoyama, who clinched his maiden championship on Saturday with one day remaining of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.
Abe and his wife Akie were then expected to host Trump and first lady Melania Trump for an informal dinner in the capital.
The Trumps will be Japan's first state guests since Emperor Naruhito's enthronement on May 1, which came a day after his father Akihito relinquished the throne in the country's first abdication in 202 years.
The Trumps will meet with the emperor and Empress Masako on Monday, and the imperial family was scheduled to host the couple later in the day for a state banquet.
On Monday, Trump and Abe are set to hold talks, with trade and North Korea expected to dominate the conversation.
On Sunday, Trump once again downplayed North Korea's firing of a series of projectiles earlier this month, including some identified as ballistic missiles.
"North Korea fired off some small weapons, which disturbed some of my people and others, but not me. I have confidence that Chairman Kim (Jong Un) will keep his promise to me," the president tweeted in the morning.
Japan lodged a protest with the reclusive state over the firing of the missiles while Trump's national security adviser John Bolton told reporters in Tokyo on Saturday that Pyongyang's actions were a violation of UN resolutions.
Trump has repeatedly criticised Japan for its chronic trade surplus with the US, urging Abe to further open the country's automotive and agriculture markets.
Speaking with Japanese business leaders on Saturday after his arrival, Trump said that through talks for a US-Japan trade agreement, he wants to make bilateral trade "a little bit more fair," apparently referring to his country's trade deficit with Japan.
"With this deal, we hope to address the trade imbalance, remove barriers to United States exports, and ensure fairness and reciprocity in our relationship," the president said.
"Japan has had a substantial edge for many, many years, but that's OK, maybe that's why you like us so much," he added.
Australian Associated Press
